Initial trapping survey results in

The
first trapping results for Queensland fruit fly in Whangarei
have shown no suspect flies detected in all 83 traps in Zone
A and in all 90 lure traps from outside the controlled
zones.

MPI Deputy Director-General Compliance and
Response, Andrew Coleman, says “it’s a good early result
but it’s important not to get complacent. We have still
got a number of days to go before we know for sure whether
there is a breeding population or not.”

The Whangarei
community has been hugely supportive and to date has placed
180kgs of restricted produce in bins in Zone A and 70kgs in
Zone B.

“We are very appreciative of this support,” Mr
Coleman says. “It is vital that material that could
contain the fly is not taken out of the zone, just in case
there is a breeding population present in the area, which
takes in Parihaka, Riverside and parts of central
Whangarei.”

This insect is an unwanted and notifiable
organism that could have serious consequences for New
Zealand’s horticultural industry. It can damage a wide
range of fruit and vegetables.

As of 8.30 am today (Sunday
26 Jan) there are 83 traps in the area closest to the
original find (known as Zone A) and 162 traps have been
deployed in the Zone B area which goes out to 1.5km from the
detection.

There are 92 disposal bins in Zone A and 203 in
Zone B.

Restricted produce includes all fruit and some
vegetables. Leafy and root vegetables are not hosts for
fruit fly and their movement is not restricted.

The key
fruits and veges that should NOT be taken out of the
Controlled Area are: citrus fruit, stone and pip fruit,
tomatoes, capsicums and avocados.

Full information on the
restrictions is at: www.mpi.govt.nz – and
follow the fruit fly button.

The Ministry has a new online
tool in place to assist local people work out if their
property is inside or outside the Controlled Area. This
online tool, which enables people to enter their address and
check, is at: http://www.esam.co.nz/Fruitfly/

Garden
rubbish- green waste- (particularly clippings from fruit
trees, fallen fruit, tobacco weed and woolly nightshade) may
contain fruit flies, should a population be present.
Residents are asked to dispose of this material in amnesty
bins rather than taking it to the Whangarei Weigh Transfer
Station.

“Once again, MPI would like to thank the people
of Whangarei for their co-operation in this response.
Compliance with these restrictions is a critical precaution
to protect our horticultural industries and home gardens,”
Mr Coleman says.

“It is likely the restrictions will be
in place for at least a couple of
weeks.”

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